Thalia blinked at his words, her mind struggling to process what he just said.
Talk? About what exactly?
But Aurelius didn't wait for her response. He walked past her into the room and started pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth. His movements were agitated, like he couldn't stand still.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice coming out smaller than she intended.
He turned to her sharply. "You. You're what's wrong."
She felt like she'd been slapped. "What?"
Her mind raced. What did he mean? Was he angry about the kiss? About her running away? About—
Wait.
The mate bond.
He was feeling it too. The pull, the need and the way his body probably ached for hers the same way hers ached for him.
"Is it because of the….mate bond?" she asked quietly, finally daring to say the word.
He st
